penitent : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: penitent	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for penitent
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
penitent adj feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds [syn: penitent, repentant] Antonym(s): impenitent, unremorseful, unrepentant n (Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Penitent \Pen"itent\, a. [F. p[82]nitent, L. paenitens, -entis, poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See {Pain}.] 1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life. Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --Milton. The pound he tamed, the penitent* he cheered. --Dryden. 2. Doing penance. [Obs.] --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, n. 1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions. 2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance. 3. One under the direction of a confessor. Note: Penitents is an appellation given to certain fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.